The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 220

Joseph waited for two full minutes before a reply finally came through.

[Alright, then. When you’re free, I’ll treat you again.]

It had taken Vivica a good deal of internal debate to send that message. As much as her heart fluttered for Joseph, she was still afraid to take that step. Her failed marriage, the vast difference in their social standing, and Chaim’s unique situation—all of it made it impossible for her to face Joseph with an open heart.

She kept telling herself not to get her hopes up, not to fall too deep. But Joseph had helped her so much that she couldn’t refuse to even buy him a meal. So she agreed to his indirect invitation for another date. It was just lunch, after all. She could control her feelings.

Seeing her reply, the silly smile returned to Joseph’s face, even wider this time. He put his phone down and finally focused on his food.

Harvey, who had finished eating, watched his friend with a sly grin. “So, what’s the verdict? Decided to make your move?”

Joseph ignored him.

“Want me to give you a few pointers?” Harvey teased.

“Ha. You’re single yourself. What kind of advice can you give me?”

“At least I’ve been in a few relationships. That’s more than you can say, rookie.”

“And all of them failed. Why would I learn from you? That’s asking for trouble.”

Harvey was speechless. After a moment, though, he offered a genuinely useful piece of advice. “Honestly, with your advantages, you don’t need to try that hard. Just remember one thing.”

Joseph looked at him, seemingly willing to listen.

“Work on that sharp tongue of yours,” Harvey said. “Praise her more, and offer her emotional support. Women really care about that these days.”

Joseph nodded. “That’s the only useful thing you’ve said since you got here.”

...

When Vivica got back to the office, her colleagues were just returning from their lunch break. They gathered around her, asking how she was doing. Her back hadn’t fully healed, but the bruises on her face had mostly faded, though some faint discoloration remained.

Zavier Fulton saw her as he was walking by and called her into his office.

“Zavier, is there something you need me to work on?” Vivica asked.

“Yes. The project you were on had a tight deadline, so we had to reassign it. You can take this one instead.” Zavier handed her a project file.

Zavier held up a single finger for emphasis, his eyes wide with amazement.

“I was curious about what kind of lawyer could command such a fee, so I looked him up online. The pictures seemed familiar, and then I remembered he was the lawyer I met when I came to visit you.”

Vivica had always known Joseph was an exceptional lawyer and that his fees were astronomical, but she was still stunned to hear that a single case could earn him a ten-million-dollar retainer.

Seeing her silence, Zavier hesitated before asking, “If you hired him for your divorce, did most of your settlement go to his fees?”

Vivica paused for a moment, then smiled. “I was lucky. My best friend has connections, and she helped set it up. Mr. Baird gave me a friendship discount.”

She didn’t mention that Joseph had taken her case pro bono; that would surely lead to misunderstandings.

“Oh, I see,” Zavier said, nodding in understanding. “Your friend must be very well-connected. I heard Mr. Baird is extremely selective about the cases he takes.”

“Yes, I believe so.”

Vivica didn’t want to discuss it further. Seeing a lull in the conversation, she quickly excused herself. “I should get back to work now.”

Back at her desk, Vivica couldn’t stop thinking about what Zavier had said. She already saw Joseph through rose-colored glasses, but now, he seemed even more untouchable. With fees that high and powerful people scrambling for his attention, he was truly in a different league.